🇺🇸▼
Provisional data from the Met Office confirms that June 2026 was the warmest June on record for England. For the United Kingdom as a whole, it was the second warmest June in history. This historic heatwave was intense during both the day and the night. The mean temperature for the month reached 17.1°C, which is nearly 3°C above the long-term average. A key factor in this high average was the frequency of tropical nights. These are nights when the temperature does not drop below 20°C. Such warm nights help keep the overall monthly average significantly higher than normal.
The United Kingdom recorded its highest June temperature ever. This record of 37.7°C (99.9°F) was set on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Lingwood, Norfolk. This new high smashed the previous record of 35.6°C (96°F). That old record had been set in 1957 and was later equalled during the famous heatwave of 1976. The break from the old standard shows how extreme the recent weather patterns have become.
To address the danger, authorities issued a rare red extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales. In some areas of eastern England, this warning remained in force for an unprecedented three-day run. This level of warning indicates a serious risk to life and property from the extreme heat. Officials used these warnings to urge residents to take precautions and stay safe during the dangerous conditions.
Wales also experienced significant record-breaking weather. The nation saw its second warmest June on record. The hottest day in Wales occurred on Thursday, June 25, in Cardiff, with a temperature of 35.9°C (96.6°F). This beat the previous mark for June in Wales, which was 33.7°C (92.6°F). Meanwhile, Northern Ireland equalled its June record. The temperature reached 30.8°C (87.4°F) in Castlederg, County Tyrone. While not a new high, matching the record is still a notable meteorological event for the region.
This series of June records followed closely on the heels of another major heatwave in May 2026. During that earlier event, temperatures reached 35.1°C in Kew, London. This temperature smashed the previous high for May, which was 32.8°C. The old May record had been set in 1922 and was equalled in 1944. The back-to-back extreme heat events in May and June 2026 highlight a troubling trend of escalating temperatures in the UK.